Irwin has also launched new hybrid bar clamps in 12″ and 24″ sizes.
As with the new Dewalt ToughSeries hybrid bar clamps, these Irwin clamps feature trigger and screw-style handles.
The Irwin Quick-Grip clamps can deliver up to 300 lbs via the trigger switch, or 825 lbs via the screw handle.
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The clamp also features a removable fixed head that can be moved to the opposite end of the bar for use as a spreader.
A hex bolt on the screwdriver handle can be use with a wrench for applying additional torque and clamping pressure.
As with the Dewalt model, two clamps can be attached together for a longer clamping length. There is no word as to whether the Dewalt and Irwin clamps can be coupled together, across brands.
Price: $45 for 12″ (IRHT83500), $50 for 24″ (IRHT83501)
Discussion
In taking a closer look at the Irwin clamps, they’re not identical to the also-new Dewalt clamps.
There are slight functionality differences, such as how the Irwin handle has a hex bolster and the Dewalt handle has a hole for a screwdriver handle or similar shaft.
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The housings, fixed jaw, and moveable jaws appear to be different as well. Both have the same clamping pressure ratings.
The Irwin clamp has a different clamping pad on its fixed jaw.
Is one of the clamps better than the other? Which one? How? I’ll see what I can find out.
MM
Aside from the differences you pointed out I think I may be able to see another. though it’s minor. See that socket-head screw near the fixed jaw? That’s used when you want to couple multiple clamps together to make a longer one. On my Dewalts these screws have fine threads. Looking at the photo posted here I think the Irwin may be using coarser threads.
When I get a chance I’ll take a look at the Irwins at my local Lowe’s and see how they compare to the Dewalts.
Jared
That is impressive attention to detail!
I want to play too. The Irwin seems to have a chrome or nickel coating on screw handle threads. The Dewalt is… black phosphate perhaps?
You might get slightly more wear resistance from the Irwin version. Less prone to rust too.
eddie sky
I may opt (when cheaper) for the Dewalt since I need those V block ends. Which, if sold as replacements, might fit the Irwin?
(My pricing is 2 for $50 for the 12″ and 2 for $60 for the 24″ but no one listens to me… that markup on them had to be crazy, as they’re just clamps)
Ronnie Prater
My thoughts when I saw the price.
Greg
I think, I’d want to look at the material used on the clamping faces. Is one more rubbery vs more plasticy? I see the differences, just highly suspicious when two companies drop the essentially the same shiny new product with a new way of doing things, at the same time.
JMJR
Irwin and Dewalt are both owned by Stanley Black & Decker, so the fact that they unveiled nearly identical tools so close together is not suspicious.
I think it’s dumb that they tooled up different castings and injection molding dies just to differentiate the products that likely have identical mechanisms, but they need to maintain their brand images and spot in the image/price hierarchy of SBD.
Addicted2Red
They also are releasing these new clamps (And the other lift style ones) Under the Stanly name in the EU
Greg
ok, I haven’t really kept track of who is owned by what, so that’s my mistake. I know sooner or later it all comes down to like 5 companies owning everything in the tool space.
Alexk
Have mixed feelings about Irwin clamps. Several of the heads have come off. Never got around to replacing the nuts holding the head that got lost.
Four of the 24” clamps for $200?
For the price, I’d go with heavier duty Bessey clamps and give up the quick clamp feature. Have a number of Irwin and Dewalt quick clamps. They are fine for what I use them for, but I don’t trust them for anything heavy duty.
If I get to handle them, maybe I’d feel different.
Mike
I understand the price reflects an effort to recoup r and d costs and that’s it’s a niche item that might not see huge volume but the pricing seems too high. Like I said on the DeWalt post, hopefully there are some holiday promos.
jake
Thank you for posting about these new clamps. I have question for you and your readers: Which do you think you would prefer (and why) if choosing between the IRWIN IRHT83500 and DEWALT DWHT83600 (mentioned above) and the Bessey PG-12 12-inch clamps?
IRWIN IRHT83500 – this post
DEWALT DWHT83600 – https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/dewalt-toughseries-hybrid-bar-clamps/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Bessey PG-12 – https://www.amazon.com/Bessey-PowerGrip-Clamp-12-Piece/dp/B00WGXX3VC
Greg
This is probably just my previous clamp purchases talking, but the Bessey handle orientation seems a bit odd. Though it might earn points for taking up less overall space than the trigger handle sticking down on the other models.
That being said, I’m not entirely sure I’m sold on the hybrid clamp idea. Clearly they (all three products) are trying to appeal to people wanting to buy fewer tools hoping one tool can replace two.
Would it be better to own twice as many clamps that are specific to certain styles, or one set of clamps that could do the tasks of both? More importantly, how many simultaneous projects would these two options allow me to address. Clamping for me, tends to involve waiting for glue to dry, that’s tools tied up just sitting there. Having the extra clamps would be better in my opinion than the hybrids.
MM
Two comments.
First, regarding the handle orientation of the Bessey clamps. I looked into them and I thought the same thing. In my opinion the handle orientation of the Dewalt/Irwin is preferable, though I suppose that is subjective. I’ve got nothing against Bessey clamps, in fact of all the clamps I own most are Bessey, but for this specific role I found the trigger clamp handle design to be preferable.
Second, regarding the idea of multiple clamps replacing two. This is absolutely worth discussing. There is an old saying “you can never have too many clamps”. Alas most of us have to face real-world budgets so we can’t buy a full assortment of top-tier clamps. Quantity vs. Quality is a very real concern. Sure, these clamps hold more securely than a more basic clamp, but what about when you’re comparing one hybrid clamp versus one, two, or perhaps more other clamps? For the price of two of these Irwin clamps, or the Dewalt equivalent, you can buy four Bessey EHKXLs, and those are top tier trigger clamps. Or you could buy 6 Harbor Freight Bremens–more if you wait until they are on sale or use a coupon–those are not top quality, but they are solid, and for many jobs 6 “good” clamps are much better than two “great” ones. Of course the specific work you are doing will matter too. But speaking for myself, I do like these clamps but that’s coming from a situation where I already have a variety of other clamps on hand. If I were just starting out with zero or few clamps of this kind? I would lean towards quantity first. I would not buy these as my first or only clamps unless these were ideally suited towards my work as they are just too pricey.
fred
While my selection of bar clamps may not be as complete as Norm Abrams would have recommended – I can choose from something near 150 in sizes from those useful for model airplanes up to 60 inches in size. I don’t recall having really put the Bessey PG clamps that I bought to the test as I haven’t glued-up any flat-sawn hard maple lately. I believe that I used them most recently in an all-hands -on-deck sort of glue-up of a large canoe-shaped planter that I was building. That glue-up used polyurethane glue with only moderate pressure required.
jake
@Greg, @MM and @fred – Thank you for your answers and for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I appreciate it.
To meet immediate needs, I think I will get some trigger clamps now that are stronger than the few I already have and keep an eye on the hybrids as possibilities for expected future activities.
@Stuart – Thanks again for the valuable clamp posts.
Nathan
Of the 3 id probably buy the Irwin. Just because of price. For what I do I doubt the quick handle will get in the way and if it did I can use my other standard clamp
Phranq
Wait? Really? I thought that Dewalt one was an April Fools Tool spoof.
Michael Giordano
Stuart, it was smart to prevent comments on the CPSC post. Just wanted to say-I really appreciate the effort you put into generating that post and the others related to this issue.
Stuart
Thank you, I appreciate it!
Jim Felt
I completely agree. Sometimes just the straight reportage is best.
Plaingrainy
Just some thoughts; Menards carries many Irwin tools, so you might find these clamps there. Also they have a 15% off bag sale(once or twice a year). The clamps can stick out of bag top, and still qualify for the 15% off(same day discount, no rebate needed). If clamps happen to be on sale during bag sale,, you get 15% off of current sale price!—— Are the Dewalt clamp rails exactly the same size , and configuration as the Irwin clamps?——- Another hybrid clamp, Woodpeckers Godzilla 4 way panel clamp. They have been tested to 6500# clamping pressure 50” ($200 each, $750 for four). 38”(170.00 each).
MM
I just got back from running some errands, including at trip to Lowe’s. I brought one of my Dewalt clamps with the intent of comparing it with the Irwins, which the store should have had according to the website. I couldn’t find them and the employee in the tools section didn’t give a crap about helping so I struck out. I will keep checking though, I’m interested to learn if they are compatible with the Dewalts as it is nice information to have going forward.
Speaking of Menards and clamps, they have very good prices on Bessey’s extra-heavy-duty trigger bar clamps, the EHKXL series, in the 12″ and 24″ sizes, with the price around $25. They’re often double that at most places. Home Depot has similar prices but is often out of stock. Clamp pricing can be strange, if you look at those EHKXL’s at Home Depot the 50″ is less expensive than the 36″, and the 24″ is substantially less expensive than the 18″.
MM
I just got back from Lowe’s again, and this time they had the new clamps out on display so I was able to compare them to the Dewalt.
From what I can see the difference is 99% cosmetic. The clamping bars are the same size. The bolts and the hole locations for joining multiple clamps together are the same. They both have the same bronze insert where the moveable jaw loads against the bar. The thread pitch and diameter on the clamping screws is the same. Clamping capacity and the jaw length is the same.
As far as I can tell these are the differences:
-color
-cosmetic design of the jaws
-the screw handles are slightly different. The Irwin has chrome threads and a hex bolster you could use for extra leverage when tightening. The Dewalt has black-oxide threads and no such hex bolster, but it does have slightly longer travel of the clamp screw, and there is a hole in the handle you could put a T-bar in.
Charles Richmond
I honestly don’t see the point of these. Seems like a lack of inspiration, and solves no clamping problem I’ve ever had
JR Ramos
Not a fan of the added bulk, but these could be useful for furniture and cabinet assembly. None of the quick-grip styles provide much clamping force just with the trigger – nowhere near what can be applied with screw pressure. So these give you the ease of the soft advance trigger for one-handed work or positioning things with gentle holding, then you can torque on the screw for decent clamping force. I looked at these in the stores and they’re decently made…not sure if I’ll buy any myself unless the price comes way down. I don’t do much work anymore that would benefit from these but I can see the potential value in them, changed my initial thoughts/opinion.
MM
The combination of being able to apply them one-handed and having the added control and pressure from the screw is very handy. I often work alone so I need to clamp something with just one hand. Trigger clamps are great for that but they don’t always hold strongly enough or I want precise adjustment over the clamping pressure which requires a screw. So then I find myself going back and adding more clamps, or swapping the trigger clamps out for some kind of screw clamps once I have both my hands free again. These clamps avoid that hassle. I can apply them with one hand and then if additional pressure is needed for whatever reason–clamping harder or carefully bending something into alignment–the screw is right there. I’ve had my Dewalts for a few weeks now and I like them. Of course they aren’t perfect but that’s not unique to these clamps: any type of clamp has pros and cons and is great for some jobs, okay for others, and downright unusable for others still.
I do agree the standard retail price is a bit steep, I bought mine taking advantage of an Acme sale. I would not have bought them at full price. I’m sure this is the kind of thing that will go on sale from time to time–especially the Dewalt branded ones since you can buy those as part of “buy more save more” deals.